#22: Turkish students (1914)

At the time when we first became acquainted with the College
in 1890 there were two young Turks among the students. There
were also three Turks who were members of the Protestant
Church in the city. Now and then along the years a Moslem
youth entered the College, but they never stayed long till
the new Regime manifested a change in public spirit. The
general attitude of Turks was one of superiority toward all
Christians, especially toward their *Rayah* subject
nationalities. The authority of government officials
frequently, and certainly their influence habitually, were
opposed to allowing their Turkish youth to attend Christian
institutions. We never made religious connection a condition
of entrance to College, nor did we ever conceal facts from
officials. But our Turkish friends feared we would give
their sons pork to eat, without letting them know. They were
afraid we would prevent students from going to mosque or even
forbid their Mohammedan prayers on our premises. But shall
any man forbid a fellow human being from worshipping God in
his own way and that of his fathers? We assigned our Moslem
students a room where they could repeat their prayers and
offer their worship at any hour of day or night, and we made
it easy for them to go to the mosque on Friday. As for pork,
it was never served on our College tables and seldom on our
own, in deference to the ruling sentiment in the country.
Turkish boys, as they became accustomed to our school life,
enjoyed it all very much, and were quite happy and at home
with the other students.
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At another time a young Turk came whose father was a tobacco
merchant in Samsoun. He wanted to learn English, for they
needed it in their business, and his ability to learn was
unquestioned. Warned repeatedly by city officials to return
to his home, he assented but did not go. Finally one day,
near nightfall, he came and told me he was called to the
government building. I told him he should go, but to inform
me of the result as soon as he returned. But he did not
return; instead, came a note in the evening asking for his
bedding as he was to be detained over the night. I sent
the things requested, and went to see the governor. He had
retired to his harem, his family apartment, early, leaving
orders not to be disturbed by anyone. In the morning the
student sent a request for all his things, as he was to be
sent to his home in Samsoun, under guard, without setting
foot in the College again. This time the governor received
me courteously when I called, and said he was warmly in
favor of education, as I knew, and was a good friend of
the College, but his orders were clear and strict; no
young Moslem was to attend a Christian school; so he had
no option, but to send our student to his home.
The first and only Turk to complete our course, Noureddin
Pehliwanzade, entered College in 1909 and graduated in
1914, saying, "I want to serve my people". He was in
every way a very acceptable student. In that last year
before the Great War there were 20 Moslems in the College
and several more in the Girls' School.